Wednesday, July 29 vs Glencairn MB
As moral victories go, last night's game ranks near the top for recent years.
Not only did we score 14 runs last night, but we had our first offensive mercy
inning in recent memory (at least my memory, which might be good but short).
With eleven players, five fans, and a coach, we were fully prepared for the
night. We started off well, holding Glencairn scoreless in the first two
innings while scoring one ourselves.
The third inning saw a bushel of runs for each team. Glencairn, the
visiting team, scored seven runs in the top of the inning, including a few
cheap ones off "swinging bunts" that only got a few feet from home. Such is
life. We responded in the bottom of the inning, with the first three batters
scoring runs.
In the fourth, Glencairn extnded its lead by scoring another five runs,
putting them up 12-4 at the middle of the fourth. First Mennonite rallied,
however, sending all eleven batters to the plate. The only out recorded was
on a force out that scored the eighth run of the inning. This was the first
time we have been cut off by the mercy rule this season, and quite likely for
longer. It also left the score tied at 12 after four innings.
Although we held reasonably tightly on defense, allowing only three, three,
and one run(s) per inning for the rest of the game, we could only eek out two
more ourselves before sunset. The game had good hitting, some nice defensive
plays (Dave Frey made sliding catch in right, even though the ball came on his
bad eye side), and just enough tension to keep it interesting. Thanks to Susan
Pries, the Moyers, and Romy (who combined bus and bike to make it out to watch)
who cheered us on, and the injured Peter Jutzi who helped coach and cheer.
Two reminders from mistakes this games. One, when running towards home, do
not step on the plate, but rather step on the ground just beyond the chalk
line that extends from the plate to the fence. (Also, remmber that once you
have passed the other chalk line, the "committment line", you can't go back to
third, but it is a force play at home.) Second, when running the bases, make
sure not to interfere with a fielder making a play, or you will be called out.
Also remmeber these rules when you are umpiring.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
fog bowl at slo-pitch
Tuesday, July 21 vs Rockway
This email comes a bit later than usual due to renovations at my house. I had
my computer behind sealed doors to protect it from plaster dust as I ripped out
a couple walls and a ceiling.
Last week's game showed the reason why we got bright yellow shirts - even
though fog rolled in during the post-sunset game, we could still see the rest
of our players, even in the outfield. Seriously, I do like the look of all of
our players in uniform.
We had exactly ten players last week, including two new players:
Jeff "Boomer" Moyer made it after his son's ball game, and the injured Peter
Jutzi found a replacement in his friend Josh. With just the ten in the lineup,
we were each able to get four at-bats, exactly. As seems to be our pattern, we
waited until later in the game to rally our bats. I forget how many runs we
scored, since I don't have my scorebook with me, but I think it might be more
than the three listed on the league website
(http://www.geocities.com/mennoniteslopitch/2009_scores.html)
Rockway has added some players from Waterloo MB, and are not the pushovers
they used to be. It seems that they ened up with about 25 runs or so.
I seem to be forgetting a lot, including whatever outstanding plays we did
make. If anyone wants to add one, make a comment on the blog
(www.firstslopitch.blogspot.com).
This email comes a bit later than usual due to renovations at my house. I had
my computer behind sealed doors to protect it from plaster dust as I ripped out
a couple walls and a ceiling.
Last week's game showed the reason why we got bright yellow shirts - even
though fog rolled in during the post-sunset game, we could still see the rest
of our players, even in the outfield. Seriously, I do like the look of all of
our players in uniform.
We had exactly ten players last week, including two new players:
Jeff "Boomer" Moyer made it after his son's ball game, and the injured Peter
Jutzi found a replacement in his friend Josh. With just the ten in the lineup,
we were each able to get four at-bats, exactly. As seems to be our pattern, we
waited until later in the game to rally our bats. I forget how many runs we
scored, since I don't have my scorebook with me, but I think it might be more
than the three listed on the league website
(http://www.geocities.com/mennoniteslopitch/2009_scores.html)
Rockway has added some players from Waterloo MB, and are not the pushovers
they used to be. It seems that they ened up with about 25 runs or so.
I seem to be forgetting a lot, including whatever outstanding plays we did
make. If anyone wants to add one, make a comment on the blog
(www.firstslopitch.blogspot.com).
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Slo-Pitch ball was really carrying
Tuesday, July 14, Away vs Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church
Tonight had perhaps perfect Slo-Pitch weather - warm but not hot, dry, and no wind. Maybe the pitchers would have preferred some wind. Eleven players made it out in yellow shirts, meaning that one person wearing number "1st" had to sit each inning.
We got a taste of what was to come when the first pitch sailed well over the right-centre field fence, although we allowed only one more run that inning. Indeed, W-K hit their limit of five over-the-fence home runs, and then kept hitting more for dead-ball singles (essentially walks). Despite that demoralizing feeling, our defense actually played quite well, often getting the ball in from the outfield quickly to prevent too many extra bases. In the fifth inning, Steven Metzger pitched, and provided most of the defence himself, fielding three ground balls and throwing them to Sal for force-outs at first.
Peter J lead the way for our team offensively, singling each of his four at-bats, and scoring two runs. His dad Cam helped cash him in, and Cal J also had an rbi or two. Rallies in the seventh and ninth, both started by Peter, allowed us to surpass last week's totat runs, ending up with five.
Next week we play on Tuesday, July 21, 9 pm; home on Diamond 'A' vs Rockway. I am expecting most of the usual suspects: Cam, Cal, Scott, Peter J, Sal, Dave F, Steve M, Nathan M, Mark P, and Tracy. I know that Mark DH (Paraguay) and Mackenzie F (cottage) will not make it. Others, please let me know.
Play-offs: Players are required to have played 6 regular games to be eligible for the play-offs. At this point, Cam, Cal, Scott, Dave, Mackenzie, Peter S, Peter J, Sal, Steve M, Nathan M, Mark P, and Tracy have met that. Mark DH should if his plans don't change. Including next week's games, we have 6 more games to play. Others are welcome to come out and play.
Tonight's tip (and ad): Watching or listening to baseball is one way to learn more about the way the game is played. If you want to see decent live baseball for cheap, check out the Kitchener Panthers. They play at the park beside the Aud and Centennial Stadium, usually Thursdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 7 pm. Check out www.kitchenerpanthers.com for more information.
Tonight had perhaps perfect Slo-Pitch weather - warm but not hot, dry, and no wind. Maybe the pitchers would have preferred some wind. Eleven players made it out in yellow shirts, meaning that one person wearing number "1st" had to sit each inning.
We got a taste of what was to come when the first pitch sailed well over the right-centre field fence, although we allowed only one more run that inning. Indeed, W-K hit their limit of five over-the-fence home runs, and then kept hitting more for dead-ball singles (essentially walks). Despite that demoralizing feeling, our defense actually played quite well, often getting the ball in from the outfield quickly to prevent too many extra bases. In the fifth inning, Steven Metzger pitched, and provided most of the defence himself, fielding three ground balls and throwing them to Sal for force-outs at first.
Peter J lead the way for our team offensively, singling each of his four at-bats, and scoring two runs. His dad Cam helped cash him in, and Cal J also had an rbi or two. Rallies in the seventh and ninth, both started by Peter, allowed us to surpass last week's totat runs, ending up with five.
Next week we play on Tuesday, July 21, 9 pm; home on Diamond 'A' vs Rockway. I am expecting most of the usual suspects: Cam, Cal, Scott, Peter J, Sal, Dave F, Steve M, Nathan M, Mark P, and Tracy. I know that Mark DH (Paraguay) and Mackenzie F (cottage) will not make it. Others, please let me know.
Play-offs: Players are required to have played 6 regular games to be eligible for the play-offs. At this point, Cam, Cal, Scott, Dave, Mackenzie, Peter S, Peter J, Sal, Steve M, Nathan M, Mark P, and Tracy have met that. Mark DH should if his plans don't change. Including next week's games, we have 6 more games to play. Others are welcome to come out and play.
Tonight's tip (and ad): Watching or listening to baseball is one way to learn more about the way the game is played. If you want to see decent live baseball for cheap, check out the Kitchener Panthers. They play at the park beside the Aud and Centennial Stadium, usually Thursdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 7 pm. Check out www.kitchenerpanthers.com for more information.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
It had to be the Slo-Pitch shirts!
Tuesday, July 7. Home vs Westheights BIC
Tonight's highlight may have happened before the game even started, as First Mennonite players donned their new yellow t-shirts. Being egalitarian, each one of us is 1st. During the game, we had the bases loaded at one point, prompting someone to remark how nice it looked to have three people in yellow on the bases. Indeed.
That comment may in fact have come in the bottom of the eighth inning, when the "bottom" of the lineup (those I didn't know were coming, but am glad they did) sparked a late rally, loading the bases and scoring Tracy with hits from John P, Alan J, and Mark P. Dave Frey had the big hit of the night in the sixth, driving a ball to the wall in right centre for a double. He later scored on a hit by a Jutzi son. My score sheet suggests that Sal, Cam, and John P all reached base in each at-bat. In all, we scored four runs in the game.
Dennis Burkhart (former catcher) had a saying that went something like, "There is no rally that cannot be killed with incredibly stupid baserunning." In fact, there were three times I counted that someone on our team reached a base and then got tagged out going past it. On two of those, a run came in to score ahead of out. Just a gentle reminder. At least one, however, was a simple case of too much momentum being too hard to stop.
With Cal J losing his bid for the perfect attendance award this year, we went with Dave, John, and Steven M on the pitching rubber. Between pitching and defence, we did manage to hold Westheights scoreless in the third, and to 29 overall.
Next week we play on Tuesday, July 14, at 9 pm on Diamond 'A', visitors against W-K. I am expecting Cam, Cal, Scott, Dave, Mackenzie, Peter S, Peter J, Sal, Mark P, Nathan, Steve M, and Tracy. I know that John P, Alan, David N, and Mark DH are not available. Others, please let me know if you can come or not. Don't forget your shirts! And wear black shorts or pants if possible.
Tonight's highlight may have happened before the game even started, as First Mennonite players donned their new yellow t-shirts. Being egalitarian, each one of us is 1st. During the game, we had the bases loaded at one point, prompting someone to remark how nice it looked to have three people in yellow on the bases. Indeed.
That comment may in fact have come in the bottom of the eighth inning, when the "bottom" of the lineup (those I didn't know were coming, but am glad they did) sparked a late rally, loading the bases and scoring Tracy with hits from John P, Alan J, and Mark P. Dave Frey had the big hit of the night in the sixth, driving a ball to the wall in right centre for a double. He later scored on a hit by a Jutzi son. My score sheet suggests that Sal, Cam, and John P all reached base in each at-bat. In all, we scored four runs in the game.
Dennis Burkhart (former catcher) had a saying that went something like, "There is no rally that cannot be killed with incredibly stupid baserunning." In fact, there were three times I counted that someone on our team reached a base and then got tagged out going past it. On two of those, a run came in to score ahead of out. Just a gentle reminder. At least one, however, was a simple case of too much momentum being too hard to stop.
With Cal J losing his bid for the perfect attendance award this year, we went with Dave, John, and Steven M on the pitching rubber. Between pitching and defence, we did manage to hold Westheights scoreless in the third, and to 29 overall.
Next week we play on Tuesday, July 14, at 9 pm on Diamond 'A', visitors against W-K. I am expecting Cam, Cal, Scott, Dave, Mackenzie, Peter S, Peter J, Sal, Mark P, Nathan, Steve M, and Tracy. I know that John P, Alan, David N, and Mark DH are not available. Others, please let me know if you can come or not. Don't forget your shirts! And wear black shorts or pants if possible.
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